Chapter 5: The Dead Hand - Middlemarch Summary

TLDRDorothea visits Lydgate to ask about her husband's condition and meets Ladislaw. Lydgate asks Dorothea for charitable aid for the hospital. Opposition to the fever hospital grows. Rosamund tells Lydgate that his family thinks less of him as a medical man. Lidgate's arrogance causes resentment in Middlemarch.

Key insights

💡Dorothea's discomfort with Ladislaw creates tension in her marriage.

🏥Lydgate seeks aid for the hospital from Dorothea.

🔥Opposition to the fever hospital grows.

💔Rosamund's lack of support undermines Lydgate's confidence.

😡Lidgate's arrogance causes resentment in Middlemarch.

Q&A

Why is Dorothea uncomfortable about meeting Ladislaw?

Dorothea feels uncomfortable because she is meeting Ladislaw without her husband's knowledge, and he is alone with a married woman.

What does Lydgate ask Dorothea for?

Lydgate asks Dorothea for charitable aid for the hospital.

Why is there opposition to the fever hospital?

The opposition is not only due to dislike of Bulstrode but also because other medical men have joined forces against Lydgate and his innovations.

Why does Rosamund's opinion bother Lydgate?

Lydgate is bothered by Rosamund's opinion because he wants her support and feels that her assessment undermines his work.

Why does Lidgate provoke resentment in Middlemarch?

Lidgate's arrogance and refusal to conform to customs and niceties of provincial life cause resentment in Middlemarch.

Timestamped Summary

00:18Dorothea visits Lydgate to ask about her husband's condition and meets Ladislaw.

00:48Lydgate asks Dorothea for charitable aid for the hospital.

01:15Opposition to the fever hospital grows.

01:27Rosamund tells Lydgate that his family thinks less of him as a medical man.

02:03Lidgate's arrogance causes resentment in Middlemarch.